Daijiworld Media Network – Panaji

Panaji, Jun 15: In a significant setback to Goa’s Dhangar community, the Union Ministry of Tribal Affairs has rejected its long-pending demand for Scheduled Tribe (ST) status, triggering disappointment and anger among community leaders.

Leaders of the community said the ministry took the decision on April 1 and communicated it to the Goa government on April 8. However, members of the Dhangar community alleged that they were not informed about the rejection for more than two months.

The development was discussed at a meeting convened by the All Goa Dhangar Samaj in Borda on Sunday under the leadership of its president, Chandrakant Kavlekar.

Speaking to reporters after the meeting, Kavlekar questioned the basis for the rejection, noting that the community’s application had reportedly remained under consideration by the Registrar General of India (RGI) for several years.

“We fail to understand why the Union Tribal Affairs Ministry has rejected our demand. As far as we know, the Registrar General of India had not rejected our long-pending application. We do not understand how the ministry arrived at this decision,” he said.

Kavlekar announced that a delegation of the Dhangar Samaj would soon meet Goa Chief Minister Pramod Sawant and request him to lead a delegation to meet Union Home Minister Amit Shah.

“We want the Chief Minister to discuss the matter with the Union Home Minister and help undo the injustice caused by this decision. We will urge the Centre to reconsider and withdraw the rejection,” he said.

At the same time, Kavlekar acknowledged the support extended by the Goa government to the community's demand. He pointed out that the state government had earlier notified the Gavli-Dhangar community in the Official Gazette and expressed confidence that Sawant would continue to support their cause.

“Chief Minister Pramod Sawant has always been supportive of our demand for ST status. I am confident he will take up the matter at the appropriate level,” he added.

Kavlekar also objected to comparisons often drawn between Goa’s Dhangar community and Dhangars in neighbouring Maharashtra.

“Whenever our demand is discussed, people point out that Dhangars in Maharashtra have not been granted ST status. Why should Goa’s Dhangars be constantly compared with those in Maharashtra? Our case should be considered on its own merits,” he said.

Some community leaders also expressed concern over what they described as inadequate support from Goa’s existing Scheduled Tribe communities, including the Gawdas, Kunbis and Velips.

They noted that the Dhangars had participated in the movement for ST status alongside these communities since 1997. While the Gawdas, Kunbis and Velips were granted Scheduled Tribe status in 2003, the Dhangars’ demand remains unresolved.

“The Dhangars stood alongside the Gawdas, Kunbis and Velips in the struggle for Scheduled Tribe status. At times, we wonder whether they have abandoned us in this fight,” a community leader said.

The Dhangar community has been seeking Scheduled Tribe status for decades, arguing that such recognition would provide access to constitutional safeguards, reservations and welfare benefits. Following the latest setback, community leaders said they would intensify efforts to secure political and administrative intervention for a review of the decision.